Improvement in wash-benches



0. M. MERRICK;

Wash-Bench.

N 164 385 Patentedlune15,l875'.

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ZINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR M. MERRIOK, OF CHILLICOTHE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASH-BENCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,386, dated June 15, 1875 application filed February 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Oscnn M. MERRICK, of Ghillicothe, in the county of Peoria, in the State of Illinois, have invented a Trestle or Stool for Supporting ashing-Tubs for Domestic Use; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings makinga part of this specification, in which like letters of reference refer to like parts, and in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view; Fig. 2, a longitudinal elevation; Fig. 3, an end view of the same, folded flat for placing away when not in use..

This invention has for its object to provide a stool, trestle, or support for a wash-tub which can be adjustable by means of devices to any required height to suit the stature of the operator, at the same time to fit the tubbottom, and be well braced from swaying in every direction, and to fold up flatto be laid out of the way when not in use.

i This trestle is made in or after the form of a camp-stool, having at each end cross-lcgs A A, pivoted together near the middle, and inclining outward at the bottom, with several pivot-holes, d d, for the insertion of the bolt 01 and nut. At the intersection of the legs, for bringing the horizontal connecting-pieces or wash-tub supports I) b nearer together or setting them farther apart, or to adjust the height of the trestle, cross-braces e e unite one of the legs to the opposite leg at the other end of the trestle below the pivot-bolt (I, being so placed and secured by screws or other fastenin gs as not to interfere with the extension or the closing of the legs, and secured firmly at the intersections g by screws or bolts. As supports for the wash-tub, the upper ends of each opposite leg are connected by horizontal bars b 1), running parallel and longitudinally, and secured by bolts or screws f to the respective legs, and between said pieces I) b at each end is extended a chain, c c, by which is shortened or lengthened the distance between them by dropping or taking up a link upon the respective hooks 'i i on the inside of one of said supports. The chain, not being a rigid brace, allows the stool to be folded flat, and put away when not in use.

The advantages of this invention are, first, that by the arrangement of the legs, the center of gravity falls well within the stool; second, that the joints, on becoming loose by wear, can be readily drawn together by the bolts or screws, and render the whole firm again, and as all the strain is at right angles to said bolts or screws, it is not liable to much stress by the heaviest strains; third, that the pivoted legs and chain combined makes it adjustable at once to persons of various stature, and to tubs of difl'erent diameters; fourth, that there are no mortises to weaken the structure or joints, which, by holding water, will rot the wood there; fourth, that it occupies far less space than chairs or stools when folded for laying away.

What I claim as my invention is- The adjustable washing-trestle, composed of the cross-legs A A, having several changeable pivots, d d, with bolt d, cross-braces e 0, upper bars I) b, and stay chain or chains 0 c, with books 2' i, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing adjustable wash-tub trestle I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of January, 1875.

OSCAR M. MERRIOK. 

